Wiki+Project


 * Wiki Project: Language Exchange**

Last year, we began a project to use the Internet to collaborate with French-speaking students. Our students used a wiki as a means of communication with students at a French school. The wiki allowed students from both schools to communicate with each other, both in the role of student (in their target language) and in the role of teacher (in their native language). In this way, all students were able to experience authentic interaction with native speakers of their target language, while being able to help learners of their native language.


 * Setup**
 * The wiki was set up by our school's Technology Coordinator, and was divided into an English part and a French part. All communication on each part was done in that part's target language, and all students participated in both parts.
 * The website was created on Wikispaces as a private space, and was only accessible by students and teachers.
 * Students had to get permission slips signed by a parent before beginning the project.
 * Students first worked on the wiki in class. Later, students were able to work on the wiki from home as homework.


 * Observations**
 * Students who were not usually engaged in class were very eager to write and participate.
 * Students asked often when they would be allowed to go back to the site.
 * The choice of school is critical: time differences, schedules, differing socioeconomic backgrounds can all pose challenges.
 * There is a need for technology support: technology-literate teachers, technology coordinators, access to technology, etc.


 * Thinking about doing a similar project?** The following resources may be helpful:
 * Wikispaces offers the Plus Plan (usually $50/year) for [|free to teachers].
 * Wikispaces has a Help Page for teachers.
 * EduWikis is a Wikispaces site that discusses the use of wikis in education.